Bomb threat

"Bomb scare" redirects here. For the song by 2 Bad Mice, see Bombscare.

A bomb threat is generally defined as a threat, usually verbal or written, to detonate an explosive or incendiary device to cause property damage, death, or injuries, whether or not such a device actually exists.

Criminal statutes typically dictate severe penalties. For example, the American state of Massachusetts provides for penalties of up to 20 years in prison, up to $50,000 fine, and restitution for the costs of the disruption.[1] New York law makes it an "Class E Felony ... to issue a false bomb threat directed toward a school in New York State."[2]

Some statutory definitions include the threatened use, release or placement of other harmful agents, such as poisons, biological pathogens, radioactive materials, or even a dangerous weapon (e.g., aboard an airliner). Other statutes enhance the penalties for threats made against specific places or persons (e.g., government facilities or dignitaries), and the actual possession of harmful devices or agents.

Many bomb threats that are not pranks are made as parts of other crimes, such as extortion, arson, or aircraft hijacking. Actual bombings for malicious destruction of property, terrorism, or murder are often perpetrated without warnings.

The decision to evacuate an area or building, depending on the perceived reliability of the threat, may be made by local controlling authorities or those in charge of the targeted facility based on advice from bomb disposal experts. When a large facility is involved, it can be very difficult and time-consuming to ensure the absence of any bomb or other hazardous device or substance.

During the Northern Ireland conflict, paramilitary groups used pre-arranged code words when making bomb threats, to add authenticity to their claims of involvement. The codes would be updated regularly and provided to the police and the media.[3]

Bomb threats are often called in at educational institutions, sometimes by students who feel under stress due to academic pressure.[4][5][6][7][8][9]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "M.G.L. - Chapter 269, Section 14 - General Laws". mass.gov.
  2. ↑ "School Bomb Threats Are A Felony", press release on New York State Education Department website. Retrieved April 15, 2009.
  3. ↑ Sengupta, Kim (30 March 1997). "Phone codes that prove bomb threats are real". The Independent. Retrieved 17 May 2011.
  4. ↑ "One Year Later, Kim Apologizes for Bomb Threat Hoax". thecrimson.com.
  5. ↑ http://digitalmaine.com/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1078&context=opla_docs
  6. ↑ "FBI — Harvard Student Charged with Bomb Hoax". FBI.
  7. ↑ "FBI — Fresno Woman Pleads Guilty to Bomb Threat Hoax at Fresno City College". FBI.
  8. ↑ "Five Massachusetts schools receive hoax bomb threats". Reuters.
  9. ↑ "Man indicted for bomb hoax at Louisiana university". Reuters.


This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 9/4/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.